Name: Lilah Goldman
Class Year: 2026
Major: English, Education 

Internship Organization: Bryn Mawr Summer Humanities Research Program
Internship Title:  Digital Storytelling in Social Work Research Assistant
Location: Bryn Mawr, PA

What’s happening at your internship? We would love to hear what kind of work you are doing!  

I am working on Dr. Rachel Speer’s Digital Storytelling in Social Work project, which seeks to expand opportunities for self-reflection, professional and personal identity development, and digital media skills development within the implicit social work curriculum. My work each week involves designing and preparing to facilitate a series of workshops for graduate social work students. I have had so much fun creating my own digital stories to use as examples, as well as accessible tip sheets and tutorials for future students. 

Why did you apply for this internship?  

I applied to this internship because as an Education major, I wanted more experience with lesson planning and curriculum design, and I loved that it offered the opportunity to be creative and explore digital storytelling on top of that. Plus, I was excited to get to know and work closely with a new faculty member I wouldn’t have otherwise met, and learn more about graduate education programs. 

Working remotely for the first time? What has that experience been like for you? 

Working remotely for the first time has taught me a lot of self-discipline in establishing routines that separate work from distractions, while still allowing me to take care of myself. Since I don’t necessarily need to leave the house each day for work, I’ve become more intentional about moving my body throughout the day and taking appropriate breaks to explore my new neighborhood and enjoy the summer in Philadelphia. I’ve had a lot of fun finding new coffee shops to work from, but I do look forward to the few work days when I meet with Dr. Speer or other collaborators in person. I have learned that I certainly value working in a collaborative environment, which is why I am eager to help facilitate the workshops I’ve been designing when the fall semester begins.  

What is most rewarding about your internship? 

The most rewarding aspect of my internship has been getting to spend my days creating stories that help me better understand myself and that I can share with others. I have really come to appreciate the creative process that digital storytelling requires, and I love getting to experiment with different media and video editing software while engaging in self-reflection every week. This project has taught me about my values, relationships, and self-perceptions, and has made me feel more comfortable sharing them with others. The cherry on top is that this work will also help graduate students embark on this journey of self-understanding, shaping their professional identities as future social workers.